Data entry system for an endoscopic examination

ABSTRACT

A method and system for capturing patient related data in an endoscopic system comprising an imaging node adapted to capture and display endoscopic images during the course of an endoscopic examination. The patient data capture system and method includes a display device that provides an interface to enable a user to enter data relating to a patient examined during the examination, including patient vital sign information at various phases of care relating to the endoscopic examination and, further including individual graphic controls for enabling entry of values relating to the patient&#39;s vitals information. The entered patients vitals information is associated with a timestamp. The patient vitals information and associated timestamps are stored in a database record associated with the patient. Further data capable of being entered into the system includes medications administered, Aldrete scores and intraprocedural assessments.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/471,349 filed May 16, 2003 and incorporated byreference as if fully set forth herein. This application further relatesto commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. ______,______ and ______ (Atty. Dockets 17282, 17284 and 17523) incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to entry and recordation ofmedical information, including the recordation of a patient's vital andmedication information, particularly, in the context of a medicalprocedure such as an endoscopic examination.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

There currently exists a clinical information management system known asEndoworks (hereinafter “EW system” manufactured by Olympus Corporation)that provides functionality for automating the endoscopy lab by managingpatient examination data at different phases of patient care, includingthe capture of images, data and written Procedure Notes, and further,the generation and storage of medical records and procedure reports.

Particularly, the EW system, designed for the practice of endoscopy, isa comprehensive, real-time, interactive clinical information managementsystem with integrated reporting features, that manages and organizesclinical information, endoscopic images and related patient data, atvarious levels of detail, for creating efficiencies and facilitatingfunctions performed by users of endoscopic equipment, e.g., physicians,nurses, clinicians, etc.

Integral to the performance of an endoscopy procedure via the EW systemis the real-time capture of endoscopic images and entry of examinationdata (e.g., patient ID, practitioner information, endoscope ID type).Part of the examination data captured includes what are known as“vitals,” i.e., that patient data relating to pulse rate, respiration,blood pressure (systolic), etc. and “medications” for a patientincluding, for example, medications administered during the differentphases of care. These data are entered and stored with the patientrecord via a graphical user interface (GUI) provided with the EW system.

It would be highly desirable to provide an intuitive, novel interfaceenabling users to capture a patient's vital signs and medicationsadministered at specific times for an endoscopy examination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novelsystem and method for capturing, recording and displaying medicalinformation such as a patient's vitals and medication administeredduring various phases of a given medical procedure such as an endoscopicprocedure.

Further to this object is the ability of the system to enable entry andrecordation of Aldrete Scores, and intraprocedural assessments for thepatient being examined.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a novel userinterface, that enables a user to configure a vitals and medicationsgraph view, and particularly the ability to create new time entries byentering a start date and time, and further specify a time increment andnumber of entries.

According to another aspect of the invention is the option that enablesa user to view a graph of vitals and medications administered, andfurther, via the graphical view, the ability to add a column withcurrent time (if the column is not already present) for all the foursections (Vitals, Medications, Aldrete, and Intraprocedural Assessments)during pre-procedure, procedure and post-procedure phases of theendoscopic examination. In this manner, a user is provided with theability to associate Vitals, Medications, Aldretes, and IntraproceduralAssessments with a timestamp that is unique for the exam duringpre-procedure, procedure and post-procedure phases of the examination.

Thus, according to a preferred aspect of the invention, there isprovided a system and method for capturing patient related data in anendoscopic system comprising an imaging node adapted to captureendoscopic images during the course of an endoscopic examination. Thepatient data capture system comprises a display means for providing aninterface to enable user to enter data relating to a patient examinedduring the endoscopic examination, the data including patient vital signinformation of the patient at various phases of care relating to theendoscopic examination and, the interface including individual graphiccontrols for enabling entry of values relating to the patients vitalsinformation; a means for associating entry of patients' vitalsinformation with a timestamp; and, a means for storing the patientvitals information and associated timestamps in a database recordassociated with the patient.

Advantageously, the capturing, recording and displaying medicalinformation is implemented in a comprehensive, browser-based, clinicalinformation management system designed for the practice of endoscopythat further includes the ability to capture, process and recordendoscopic images during a procedure and further includes an ImageManagement function enabling a user to annotate, label, import, export,and enhance the quality of images, including the ability to manage,record, and export live video clips and generate reports that includethe stored images and captured patient information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent to one skilled in the art, in view of the followingdetailed description taken in combination with the attached drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of an endoscopic examination systemaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a Registration and Scheduling clinical flow interfaceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a Pre-Procedure clinical flow interface according tothe invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a Procedure clinical flow interface according to theinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a Post-Procedure clinical flow interface according tothe invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a Home tab of a user interface interface according tothe invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a Patient File tab of a user interface interfaceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a Registration tab of a user interface interfaceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a Pre Procedure tab of a user interface interfaceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a Procedure tab of a user interface interfaceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a Post-Procedure tab of a user interface interfaceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates an Analysis tab of a user interface interfaceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates an Admin tab of a user interface interface accordingto the invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates the Vitals and Meds interface screen according tothe invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates the addition of columns relating to different timeintervals via the Vitals And Meds screen of FIG. 14 according to theinvention;

FIG. 16 illustrates the an exemplary search screen that enables a userto enter search criteria and initiate search functionality formedications (both Drug Name and Brand Name) according to the invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates the Aldrete scores interface screen according to theinvention;

FIG. 18 illustrates the Intraprocedural Assessments interface screenaccording to the invention; and,

FIG. 19 illustrates the Unplanned Events interface screen according tothe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Overview of the System

As shown in FIG. 1, the EW system includes an endoscopic workstation110, a printer device 112 (e.g., a Mavigraph printer), an RGB monitor114 and processor 116. The user provides inputs to the workstation 110via a keyboard, mouse interface, or the like. The workstation may becoupled with a web browser interface that provides the necessaryinformation to perform exams, and facilitates for users of endoscopicequipment, e.g., physicians, nurses or clinicians, the efficientcapture, management, organization and presentation of endoscopic imagesand patient and examination data. The workflow processes associated withthis aspect of the system are flexible enough to support smallendoscopic practices in addition to endoscopic departments within largehealthcare institutions.

The system may function as a stand-alone system including memory forstoring patient data and image information. The system may also includea server 140 and database element 145 that may be connected via agateway application to various “external” systems such as a hospitalinformation system where the gateway facilitates the transfer ofhealthcare information between the system and other applications.Patient information stored in the system may be downloaded to externalsystems (e.g., a legacy system) via a gateway interface. The workstation110 may communicate with the server 140 via the Internet 170 or othernetwork, such as a LAN or intranet. The workstation 110 may alsocommunicate with a fax server 160, for instance, for faxing reports viaa fax modem 162. Generally, software instructions, including firmwareand microcode, may be stored in any type of program storage device ordevices, also referred to as computer-readable media. The software isexecuted by a processor in a known manner to achieve the functionalitydescribed herein.

In a particular aspect, the system includes an Image Management functionenabling a user to annotate, label, import, export, and enhance thequality of images, including the ability to manage, record, and exportlive video clips. Further to this is an “auto-masking” feature thatautomatically selects an appropriate video mask based on a particularendoscope device being utilized by the health care practitioner.

In another particular aspect, the system includes a medical terminology“Knowledge Base” (KB) comprising keywords relating to the procedure,e.g., such as gastrointestinal, endoscopic and bronchoscopic terminologykeywords. The keywords are captured via a graphical user interface (GUI)before, during, and/or after a procedure. The keywords are madeavailable for labeling images captured during an examination to be usedin reports, auto-populating appropriate sections of a report such as aProcedure Note, described further below, based on patient history, andbuilding Procedure Note templates or models to auto-populate sections ofinformation. The system also facilitates the use of custom terms thatapply to a specific department or location. Thus, for example, during anexam, a user may select KB terms for a procedure via a common userinterface, which is employed wherever the user needs to locate orextract keywords. This also provides a consistent way to select and useterminology.

Clinical Flow

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate clinical flow diagrams that describe the mostcommon activities associated with the system and their relationship intime in the context of one possible application of the invention.Clinical flow is based on patient flow, which relates to how a patientis processed before, during, and after an endoscopic procedure. Theoverall flow across all lifecycle stages starts with an exam request andends with the generation of a Procedure Note, the release of thepatient, and the generation of a set of related reports. User roles arerepresented as horizontal bands.

The registration and scheduling clinical flow 200 of FIG. 2 includes acollection of all the information necessary to set up a visit. It isinitiated through an exam request made by either the patient, asurrogate for the patient, or a referring physician. The nurse andphysician share the activity of preparing prep instructions and medicaladvice for the patient.

The Pre-Procedure clinical flow 300 of FIG. 3 starts with the arrival ofthe patient at the endoscopy facility and addresses all administrativeand medical activities necessary to prepare the patient for the exam.

The Procedure clinical flow 400 of FIG. 4 depicts the actual examinationthat takes place during the Procedure lifecycle stage. The system isused to capture images, record vital signs, and administer medicationsduring this stage.

The Post-Procedure clinical flow 500 of FIG. 5 depicts the activitiesthat take place after the completion of an exam. These activitiesinclude a nurse continuing to monitor the patient's recovery, a nursecompleting discharge instructions, releasing the patient, and preparingbilling code reports, and a physician reviewing and editing the analysisof an exam by generating a Procedure Note. A physician signs theProcedure Note when it is complete. Afterward, management reports,patient recall requests, and referral letters can be created anddistributed.

User Interface

The invention is next described in connection with a user interface thatallow the user to select different features under different tabs.

I. Home tab 600 (FIG. 6). The Home tab is the default home page, and ispre-defined for each role. However, the user can modify the page to suitthe user's needs. The following are the most common tasks that can beperformed in the Home tab. Access to these tasks is based on the user'srole. For example, if the user logs into the application as a scheduler,then the user would not see the Sign Reports menu option, since thatoption is reserved for the physician role.

-   -   1) Scheduled Exams—used to view a list of scheduled exams and        create a new visit and exam.    -   2) Create a New Visit—allows the user to schedule a new visit        for a patient.    -   3) Pending Items—used to view all of the pending tasks. The user        can also select one or more pending items and close them.    -   4) Pathology Status—used to view the status of outstanding        pathology requests or search the database for an existing        record. The user can also edit or delete existing pathology        records. When a pathology record is deleted, all data of the        specimens associated with that record are deleted.    -   5) Unsigned Reports—an attending physician can use the Unsigned        Reports screen to view and sign unsigned Procedure Notes.    -   6) Sign Reports—A system administrator can use the Sign Reports        screen to view unsigned Procedure Notes for a specific physician        and mark them as signed.    -   7) Carbon Copies—When the user distributes a document to a        medical provider, clinical staff, or contact via email, a        notification is sent to the recipients that a document is        available for them in the system. Recipients can then log on to        the system and view a list of documents on the Carbon Copies        screen.    -   8) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Synchronization—when the user        performs an exam in ICU mode, the user's imaging station is not        connected to the network server. When the user finishes the        exam, the user must upload images and data from the workstation        to the server repository. When the workstation is re-connected        to the network, a series of simple commands will upload the data        and images captured during the exam. After the data is uploaded,        the user uses the ICU Synchronization option to synchronize        images and data.    -   9) Recall Letters—used to recall a patient for another        examination. The user can use this option to add an item to the        Recall Letter Queue to remind a patient of a follow-up        examination.    -   10) System Log—Allows the system administrator to view errors        and messages generated by the application.

II. Patient File tab 700 (FIG. 7)—allows a user to capture informationspecific to the individual patient. This tab is used to record apatient's demographic information; a patient's medical alerts,GI/pulmonary, medication, family, and social history information, andview a summary of the patient information.

III. Registration tab 800 (FIG. 8). This tab is used to: (a) create andmodify visit and/or exam information; (b) view past, current, or futureschedules; (c) assign resources for an examination including procedurerooms and equipment; and (d) distribute registration documents.

IV. Pre-Procedure tab 900 (FIG. 9). This tab is used to: (a) record careplan information for a specific visit; (b) record medical alertinformation; (c) record GI, pulmonary, family, and social historyinformation, (d) manage physical examination, patient assessment, andphysician check information, (e) manage prep status information for thepatient; (f) manage consent information for a visit; (g) capture vitalsigns and medications administered before the examination; (h) display asummary of selected Pre-Procedure information and capture nurse handoffinformation; and (i) distribute Pre-Procedure documents.

V. The Procedure Tab 1000 (FIG. 10). This tab is used to: (a) captureimages during an endoscopic procedure; (b) record live video clips; (c)record scope time used during an examination; (d) view images andProcedure Notes from a previous exam; (e) print images for an exam on alaser jet or a Mavigraph printer; (f) record nurse administrationinformation; (g) record accessories and equipment used during anexamination; (h) generate pathology requests; (i) distribute proceduredocuments; and, (j) according to the present invention, capture vitalsigns and medications administered during the examination.

VI. The Post Procedure Tab 1100 (FIG. 11)—After an examination iscompleted, this tab is used to perform post-procedural tasks. Thesetasks include synchronizing images in the ICU mode, monitoring apatient's vital sign and medication information, managing capturedimages, and writing Procedure Notes. Images from a current procedure,e.g., image 1 and image 2, and from a prior procedure, e.g., image 3,image 4, and image 5, can be displayed together for comparison. This tabis used to: (a) record patient recovery information; (b) manage imagescaptured during an exam; (c) label, annotate, enhance, and print images;(d) import and export images to and from the current examination; (e)manage video clips recorded during an examination; (f) write and signProcedure Notes; (g) capture patient recall information; (h) assessperformance of a trainee participating in an examination; (i) capturepatient survey information; (j) distribute Post-Procedure documents; and(k) perform ICU synchronization.

VII. The Analysis Tab 1200 (FIG. 12)—used to generate redefinedtemplate-based management reports to satisfy end-user administrativereporting requirements related to patient, procedure and facilitymanagement, efficiency analysis, and resource utilization. This tab isused to generate: (a) Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) reports; (b)efficiency reports; (c) equipment analysis reports; (d) procedureanalysis reports; and (e) administration reports.

VIII. The Admin Tab 1300 (FIG. 13)—used to perform administrator tasksand ensure the efficiency and security of the system. The system can becustomized based on the needs and requirements of the facility,physician, and clinical staff. This tab is used to: (a) maintain systemdata (such as Patient ID type and department information); (b) maintainapplication resource data (such as clinical staff and contactinformation); (c) perform system configuration (such as configureMavigraph printer and video settings); (d) customize how the applicationwill flow and generate information (for example, changing the order andlocation of menus within the application and editing or creatingtemplates/models that are used to create Procedure Notes); (e) customizeuser-defined fields (such as other patient information and other visitinformation); (f) control access to or within the application (such asuser and role maintenance); and (g) maintain equipment used during theprocedure.

The novel graphical user interface used to enter a patient's vital andadministered medication information during an endoscopic exam is nowdescribed with respect to FIG. 10. Via the procedure the Procedure Tab1000 (FIG. 10), a user may select an exam, and then, via the left handmenu list 1001, select the “Vitals and Meds” choice 1002 which initiatesgeneration of the Vitals and Meds interface screen 10 such as shown inFIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 14, the Vitals And Meds screen interface 10includes two tabs: a Vitals And Meds tab 12 and Assessments tab 14. TheVitals And Meds tab 12 includes two sections: Vitals section 15 whichinclude, for example, rows for entry of patient vital signs (vitals)information for a patient such as pulse rate 16 a, respiration 16 b,systolic 16 c, diastolic 16 d, O₂ saturation 16 e, quantity and methodof O₂ 16 f, and temperature 16 g, for example; and, Medications 20 for apatient including information 22 about medications administered duringthe different phases of care. As will be explained in greater detailherein, the Assessment tab 14 includes sections for entering patientdata such as: Aldrete Scores which are scores for activity, respiration,circulation, consciousness, O₂ saturation, dressing, pain, ambulation,fasting-feeding, and urine output; and, Intraprocedural Assessmentswhich include intraprocedural observations for the patient before andduring an exam. This information comprises of LOC, skin/circulation,rhythm strip, emotional status, pain, and notes.

As shown in a right side portion 50 of the interface 10 of FIG. 14 aregenerated columns 52 populated with values of the patient's vitals 16 a,. . . ,16 g and medications data 26 at the time of each reading. Thatis, each column is created and associated with an instant of time 54(hereinafter “timestamp”) as entered by a user and indicated via theinterface. It should be understood that if any information was recordedduring a pre-procedure phase of the examination, this information willbe displayed in the screen. For each time new patient vital data isentered, the endoscopic workstation generates for display a column 52 inthe right side portion of the interface 10. To add a column via theVitals And Meds screen, a user may click an icon 57 to initiatefunctionality for causing the addition of a column associated with acurrent time. A column 52 is thus added to the vital and meds displaywith the current time. A patient's vitals and meds information may becaptured at different time-intervals. However, by default, a user mayonly see one column in the Vitals And Meds screen portion 50 of FIG. 14.Preferably, the user may add more columns for different time intervalsas shown in the vitals and meds interface screen 10 of FIG. 15. To addmultiple columns via the Vitals And Meds screen, a user may click anicon 58 to initiate functionality for causing the addition of multiplecolumns 52,a, . . . ,52 c, etc. Particularly, an add multiple columnswindow 59 is displayed as shown in FIG. 15 which provides entry fields56 a-56 d enabling a user to specify the addition of a number of columnsfor an associated date and time and time interval. For instance, viainterface 59, a user is able to click a Date icon 51 a to enter the dateor, type it in manually in field 56 a. By default, the current date ispopulated. The user may further click a Time icon 51 b to enter the timeor type it in manually. By default, the current time is populated.Further, the user is enabled to enter the time intervals and a number ofcolumns to the respective Interval and Columns fields 56 c, 56 d. Thus,for instance, a user may specify for the periodic capture of vitals andmedications data and associate timestamps at the specified periods,before during and after a procedure.

Referring back to FIG. 14, according to the present invention, there arethree (3) ways to enter each vitals information: 1) a Slider mechanismwhereby a user may set a value by clicking and dragging a controlsliding element 17 either left (to decrease) or right (to increase). Theposition of the slider represents the value of the vital sign; 2) aSpinner mechanism 18 comprising two arrows, one for increasing the valuein the associated text box and one for decreasing that value; and 3) aText box 19, whereby a user may choose to enter the data using thekeyboard, a value up to 10 times the associated slider value, forexample, may be recorded. If the value entered exceeds 10 times themaximum slider value, the system automatically sets the value to themaximum allowable number.

To record a patient's vital information it is first required that acolumn is available to record the vitals values in the Vitals section ofthe Vitals And Meds tab. If not, the user will be prompted to add acolumn or add multiple columns. The value may then be entered to any orall of the vitals (except O₂) using the slider, the spinners, or textbox. With respect to the entry of O₂ vitals information 16 f, referringback to FIG. 14, the user may select an O₂ application method from themethod dropdown list 31, a quantity from the Quantity text box 32, andunits from the Unit dropdown list 33. An Update Values icon may then beselected at the top of the added column where the values are to berecorded and the timestamp associated. The specified values are copiedinto the selected column. Each of these steps may be repeated to addanother value, and the data are recorded when save is selected.

Referring to FIG. 15, with respect to the entry of Medicationsinformation, the Medications section 20 of the screen interface is usedto record information about medications administered during the phasesof care. The patient's weight information 23 in both kilograms (kg) andpounds and ounces (lb and oz) are displayed in an area below theMedications legend. To record the patient's meds information 22, it isimperative that a column 52 a is available to record the meds values inthe Meds section of the Vitals And Meds tab. The user may fist select byclicking a New Row button 25 to display the New Medication screen 20.The user may then enter search criteria to the Drug (Brand) Name field22, for example, search for a medication from an encyclopedia ofmedications. To perform a search, a user may select a search icon whichcauses display of a search screen 44, as shown in FIG. 16, that enablesa user to enter search criteria including alphanumeric characters in theName field 41 and initiate search functionality which responds byreturning a list 43 of all medications (both Drug Name and Brand Name)matching the search criteria are displayed. It is understood that, viathe interface of FIG. 16, a user is enabled to insert a new medicationincluding a Drug/Brand name, strength for the selected drug/brand, routeand unit Any medication name, strength, route and unit that exceeds thedisplay width will be available for viewing via the mouse over tool tip,or similar cursor or pointer display device.

The user then will select the desired medication. The screen closes andthe Drug (Brand) Name field is populated with the selected medication22. The user may then enter the strength for the medication. Furtherselections enable a user to Select a Route for the medication from theRoute dropdown list 36 and select a Unit for the medication from thedropdown list 37. Once this information is added, a user may then entera dosage for the medication to the Dose field 38. As shown in FIG. 15,the system additionally displays a total dose 39 with unit for eachmedication which is the sum of dose for each timestamp for eachmedication. An Update Values icon 55 may then be selected at the top ofthe column where the specified values are to be recorded and thetimestamp associated.

The specified values are copied into the selected column. Each of thesesteps may be repeated to add other medications, and the data arerecorded when save is selected.

With respect to the entry and recordation of Aldrete scores, via theinterface 40 of FIG. 17, a user may select radio buttons 42 associated ascore for each Aldrete, including entry of a score for activity 46 a,respiration 46 b, circulation 46 c, consciousness 46 d, O₂ saturation 46e, dressing 46 f, pain 46 g, ambulation 46 h, fasting-feeding 46 i, andurine output 46 j. Although each Aldrete has the same range of possiblevalues, the meaning associated with the values differs. For example, ascore of 1 for respiration is different than a score of 1 for pain. Fora description of each Aldrete and its associated values, an icon 45located on the Assessments tab may be selected to explain a particularAldrete Score. Particularly, a window is displayed (not shown) thatexplains all Aldrete values for the current facility. To record apatient's aldrete score, the user first selects an Assessments tab, andensures that a column 52 is available to record Aldrete Scores values inthe Aldrete Scores section. As described herein, a user may add a singleor multiple column at a time. Then, after selecting the appropriateradio button corresponding to the desired Aldrete, a user may clickUpdate Values icon 55 at the top of the column where the values arerecorded. The specified values will populate the selected column. Itshould be understood that a total Aldrete Score 57 for each timestamp iscalculated and displayed.

With respect to the entry and recordation of IntraproceduralAssessments, via the exemplary interface window 60 depicted in FIG. 18,a user may document intraprocedural information for the patient beforeand during the exam. This information includes an LOC (Level ofConsciousness), skin/circulation, rhythm strip, emotional status, pain,notes, and two user-definable values. To record any patient'sintraprocedural assessments record, the user first selects theAssessments tab, and ensures that a column is available to recordIntraprocedural Assessment values in the intraprocedural assessmentsection. Then, the user may select the appropriate values from each ofthe corresponding dropdown lists 63 for each assessment. Then afterselecting the appropriate values corresponding to the desiredinterprocedural assessment, a user may click Update Values icon 55 atthe top of the column 52 where the values are recorded. The specifiedvalues will populate the selected column. These steps may be repeated toadd another intraprocedural assessment record.

With respect to the entry and recordation of Unplanned Events, via theexemplary interface 70 depicted in FIG. 19, a user may record anunplanned event. By clicking on an Unplanned Events button 72 shown inFIG. 19, a New Unplanned Event window 75 is displayed, enabling the userto Enter date, time, and details of the event. Further with respect tothe recordation of an unplanned event, a “Notify Attending” checkbox 76may be selected that initiates functionality to inform the attendingabout the unplanned event. It is understood that each Unplanned Event iscaptured with a timestamp, for example, which may be entered byselecting the clock icon 77.

It should be understood that for any Vitals, Meds, Aldrete andAssessments entered, a user may enter the timestamp and edit the dateand time values. This would change timestamp in all the sections—Vitals,Meds, Aldrete and Assessment. The Task Details Notes values areadditionally time stamped with the Unplanned Event Date and Time and theUnplanned Event Notes.

While there has been shown and described what is considered to bepreferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, beunderstood that various modifications and changes in form or detailcould readily be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited tothe exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed tocover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A system for capturing patient related data in an endoscopic systemcomprising an imaging node adapted to capture endoscopic images duringthe course of an endoscopic examination, said patient data capturesystem comprising: a display means for providing an interface to enableuser to enter data relating to a patient examined during said endoscopicexamination, said data including patient vital sign information of saidpatient at various phases of care relating to said endoscopicexamination and, said interface including individual graphic controlsfor enabling entry of values relating to said patients vitalsinformation; a means for associating entry of patients' vitalsinformation with a timestamp; a means for storing said patient vitalsinformation and associated timestamps in a database record associatedwith said patient.
 2. The system for capturing patient related data asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said interface provides a grid of rowsassociated with a patient data to be captured and columns associatedwith different time intervals, said system providing means for enablingdisplay of multiple columns for association with said timestamps.
 3. Thesystem for capturing patient related data as claimed in claim 1, whereinan individual graphic control comprises a slider mechanism adapted to bemanipulated by a user controlled pointer device for entering said vitalsinformation, wherein a position of the slider represents the value ofthe patient's vital sign.
 4. The system for capturing patient relateddata as claimed in claim 1, wherein an individual graphic controlcomprises a spinner mechanism comprising a first selectable displayelement for increasing the value in an associated text box and a secondselectable display element for decreasing that value.
 5. The system forcapturing patient related data as claimed in claim 2, wherein said datarelating to a patient examined during said endoscopic examinationincludes medication administered to said patient, said associating meansfurther associating a timestamp with the medication administered.
 6. Thesystem for capturing patient related data as claimed in claim 5, furthercomprising search means for enabling query of a particular type ofmedication to be administered.
 7. The system for capturing patientrelated data as claimed in claim 5, wherein said interface comprisesmeans enabling entry of the strength for the medication.
 8. The systemfor capturing patient related data as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidinterface comprises means enabling user entry of the dosage of themedication administered.
 9. The system for capturing patient relateddata as claimed in claim 5, wherein said interface comprises meansenabling user entry of a route taken for the medication and a unit forthe medication.
 10. The system for capturing patient related data asclaimed in claim 2, wherein said data relating to a patient examinedduring said endoscopic examination includes a patient's Aldrete score,said associating means further associating a timestamp with therecordation of the Aldrete score values.
 11. The system for capturingpatient related data as claimed in claim 10, further including meansselectable by said user for providing a description of each Aldrete andassociated score values.
 12. The system for capturing patient relateddata as claimed in claim 2, wherein said data relating to a patientexamined during said endoscopic examination includes any intraproceduralassessment, said associating means further associating a timestamp withthe recordation of the assessment.
 13. The system for capturing patientrelated data as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data relating to apatient examined during said endoscopic examination includes datarelating to a date, time, and details of an unplanned event.
 14. Amethod for capturing patient related data in an endoscopic systemcomprising an imaging node adapted to capture endoscopic images duringthe course of an endoscopic examination, said method comprising stepsof: a) displaying an interface to enable user to enter data relating toa patient examined during said endoscopic examination, said dataincluding patient vital sign information of said patient at variousphases of care relating to said endoscopic examination; b) manipulatingindividual graphic controls provided via said interface for enablingentry of values relating to said patients vitals information; c)associating entry of patients' vitals information with a timestamp; and,d) storing said patient vitals information and associated timestamps ina database record associated with said patient.
 15. The method forcapturing patient related data as claimed in claim 14, wherein the stepof displaying individual graphic controls comprises displaying a slidermechanism for one or more patient's vital signs, said slider mechanismadapted to be manipulated by a user controlled pointer device forentering said vitals information, wherein a position of the sliderrepresents the value of the patient's vital sign.
 16. The method forcapturing patient related data as claimed in claim 14, wherein anindividual graphic control comprises a spinner mechanism comprising afirst selectable display element for increasing the value in anassociated text box and a second selectable display element fordecreasing that value.
 17. The method for capturing patient related dataas claimed in claim 14, wherein said data relating to a patient examinedduring said endoscopic examination includes medication administered tosaid patient, said associating step c) includes associating a timestampwith the medication administered.
 18. The method for capturing patientrelated data as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the step of:enabling query of a particular type of medication to be administered viasaid interface.
 19. The method for capturing patient related data asclaimed in claim 17, further comprising the step of enabling entry ofthe strength for the medication and a dosage administered.
 20. Themethod for capturing patient related data as claimed in claim 17,further comprising the step of enabling entry of a route for themedication and a unit for the medication.
 21. The method for capturingpatient related data as claimed in claim 14, wherein said data relatingto a patient examined during said endoscopic examination includes apatient's Aldrete score, said associating step c) includes associating atimestamp with the recordation of the Aldrete score values.
 22. Themethod for capturing patient related data as claimed in claim 14,wherein said data relating to a patient examined during said endoscopicexamination includes any intraprocedural assessment, said associatingstep c) includes associating a timestamp with the recordation of theassessment.
 23. The method for capturing patient related data as claimedin claim 14, wherein said interface provides a grid of rows associatedwith a patient data to be captured and columns associated with differenttime intervals, said method further including the step of enablingdisplay of multiple columns for association with said timestamps.
 24. Aprogram storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying aprogram of instructions executable by the machine to perform methodsteps for capturing patient related data in an endoscopic systemcomprising an imaging node adapted to capture endoscopic images duringthe course of an endoscopic examination, said method steps comprising:a) displaying an interface to enable user to enter data relating to apatient examined during said endoscopic examination, said data includingpatient vital sign information of said patient at various phases of carerelating to said endoscopic examination; b) manipulating individualgraphic controls provided via said interface for enabling entry ofvalues relating to said patients vitals information; c) associatingentry of patients' vitals information with a timestamp; and, d) storingsaid patient vitals information and associated timestamps in a databaserecord associated with said patient.
 25. The program storage devicereadable by a machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the step ofdisplaying individual graphic controls comprises displaying a slidermechanism for one or more patient's vital signs, said slider mechanismadapted to be manipulated by a user controlled pointer device forentering said vitals information, wherein a position of the sliderrepresents the value of the patient's vital sign.
 26. The programstorage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 24, whereinsaid data relating to a patient examined during said endoscopicexamination includes medication administered to said patient, saidassociating step c) includes associating a timestamp with the medicationadministered.
 27. The program storage device readable by a machine asclaimed in claim 24, wherein said data relating to a patient examinedduring said endoscopic examination includes a patient's Aldrete score,said associating step c) includes associating a timestamp with therecordation of the Aldrete score values.
 28. The program storage devicereadable by a machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein said data relatingto a patient examined during said endoscopic examination includes anyintraprocedural assessment, said associating step c) includesassociating a timestamp with the recordation of the assessment.
 29. Theprogram storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 24,wherein said interface provides a grid of rows associated with a patientdata to be captured and columns associated with different timeintervals, said method further including the step of enabling display ofmultiple columns for association with said timestamps.